How to transfer from wheelchair to car with sliding board and lifting sling

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I am 186 cm tall (6’2”), weigh around 50 kg (110 lbs.), can’t use my arms and need to protect my bony butt using a ROHO cushion. With the help of one assistant I am able to transfer to the front seat of a regular passenger car or taxi cab next to the driver.

YOU WILL NEED

- One person who needs to be reasonably strong and handy depending on your weight and size.

- The right car. Since I am tall and have difficulties bending forward, not every car is suitable. Cars with a low roof, narrow door entry, narrow door angle when opened, passenger seat higher than my wheelchair seat, are all difficult if not impossible for me due to my height. For somebody shorter it is a lot easier to glide in and out of a car. Car models I have found convenient include Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Volkswagen Caddy, Fiat Doblo, Renault Kangoo and similar models. They must have a fifth door in the back without a threshold making it easy to roll a power wheelchair over a pair of ramps into the back of the car. Most European car makers offer this type of compact van which is popular with families and craftsmen. If you are tall, you will want to make sure the passenger seat is in the lowest position, as far back as possible with the back of the seat somewhat reclined.

- A pair of telescopic wheelchair ramps.

- Sliding board. I prefer the straight sliding board (pictured in the video). There are also angled sliding boards.

- Sling and cushion . My ROHO cushion is lying on a lifting sling which I have had specially made for myself. A similar one can be bought from LättaLyft at
http://www.lattalyft.se/index.php?language=english.
The sling is also very useful for transferring onto an airplane seat where one person lifts you at the front and another person at your back using the sling’s red handles. A neat feature for me are the zipper pockets where I keep travel documents, credit cards, wallet, phone and similar items.

- Straps. To keep me safely balanced on the cushion in the sling I am secured by two straps. One is across my chest and the other across both thighs. Both straps are attached to the sling before the transfer. The straps can be bought at hardware stores.

THE TRANSFER

1. Assistant loops the straps through the D-rings on both sides of the sling, front and back, and fastens them securely but comfortably.

2. Assistant removes foot pedals.

3. Assistant guides feet to car. With one hand the assistant lifts my feet while I am driving the chair along the car, as close to the car as possible. Assistant puts my feet on the car floor. I continue driving the chair as far up to the door as possible.

4. Assistant removes left wheelchair arm rest.

5. Adjust leg position. For easier access the assistant might have to pull the sling some 10-15 cm forward. At the same time he/she rotates it towards the door to move my feet further in and stretch them out.

6. Insert sliding board under sling.

7. Bend upper body forward and pull red handles. Assistant kneels on the driver’s seat with one knee, carefully bends my upper body forward making sure that my head does not hit the door frame nor the dashboard, and pulls me in using the two red handles on the left side of the sling.

8. Fold down backrest of wheelchair. Drive power chair on the ramps into back of the car. The assistant can use the motors of the power chair for that. Pushing the chair up the ramps without help from the chair’s motor might be tough.

9. Store ramps in back of car.

Видео How to transfer from wheelchair to car with sliding board and lifting sling канала Adolf Ratzka